United moved back to the fringe of the play-off places once again as they overcame a stubborn Lewes side. Adam Murray's third goal in three games and a header from the excellent Luke Foster made it five wins in five home games  and ensured that United stay on the tails of the front runners. 

Eager to avenge a defeat at the Dripping Pan earlier in the season and on the back of four straight home wins United started strongly with Luke Foster having a header kicked off the line inside four minutes, but on eleven minutes they were behind after Lewes's first attack. Damian  Batt slipped at a crucial moment and allowed Stefan Cox to dispossess him on the left. Cox moved the ball on to Joe Keehan who struck a shot from twenty yards which looped up off of an outstretched leg from Chris Willmott  which left Billy Turley flat-footed and only able to watch the ball drop over him and into the net to make it 1-0.

That put the emphasis firmly on United to come at their visitors and try and prise them open, as new signing Craig Farrell did on 13 minutes, only to drill his shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Earlier in the season a goal conceded at home often meant panic and despair, but United have come out of that period of their history and now have a swagger and confidence at home. Lewes had held their lead for five minutes when another United attack ended with a free kick 22 yards from goal on the left. Everyone in the ground waited for the cross, but Adam Murray curled the ball in with his right foot instead and deceieved keeper Rikki Banks who could only flap a hand at the ball and then turn round to see the ball entering the net to make it 1-1.

Captain Murray is rejuvenated and has now scored three goals in three games, clearly loving his football and playing with a freedom that is a joy to behold. One of his passes on 31 was a sort of overhead, blind, reverse flick which went straight to Craig Nelthrorpe's feet and allowed the winger to sprint clear and cross to the near post where Haldane bundled it over the bar under considerable pressure from Guy Butters. That's the same Guy Butters who came on loan to United in 1994. They should name a margarine after him and call it 'I can't believe it's Guy Butters'. Probably.

While the tumbelweed blows after that, the game was ticking along without really going anywhere, with Lewes defending stoutly and United showing neat flicks without finding a clear route to goal. Another  free kick, this time from the other side of the pitch, saw the excellent Nelthorpe try and repeat  Murray's trick, with Banks only just about managing to get back and tip it over the bar, but the half ended with two presentable chances for Lewes (neither taken) which meant honours even at the break.

The elusive Nelthorpe had another fine run two minutes into the second half which ended with Farrell heading his cross just wide, and Farrell then span and had a left footed shot saved by Banks as United began the half on the front foot. However, just as in the first half that bright start could so easily have been undone as Lewes had a golden chance to take the lead. Keehan burst into the box and touched the ball just as Wilmott stretched into a challenge. There was clear contact and ref Melin pointed at the spot without hesitation. Elliott Charles stepped up and powered in the penalty which Turley saved, then reacted brilliantly as the ball slipped under him and trickled towards the goal. Billy caught it just as it got to the line! (See Gallery for an excellent view of that moment)

Once again United had had a wake up call, and attacking towards their own fans they gradually started to build up a head of steam, even if the pace of Cox, St Aimee  and Charles up front for Lewes meant they had to be on constant guard at the other end.

Farrell linked play well and was industrious throughout but the robust Butters and fellow former yellow Danny Cullip were stubborn opponents, and even the pace of sub Yemi Odubade couldn't disturb their Sunday afternoon as the absence of top scorer James Constable started to look ever more crucial. When the two did combine on 76 minutes Odubade's cut back was fired high by Farrell, and when crosses flashed across the area from both flanks on 78 it was just that clinical touch in front of goal that was absent.

Eight minutes to go and the vital touch finally came. Nelthorpe delivered another excellent corner from the right, Foster rose highest in a packed area, and his glancing header went perfectly inside the far post with Banks stranded.

Lewes were distraught, having taken the lead and then missed a penalty, and it all got too much for Shaun Wilkinson who let his frustration get the better of him with a shameful backwards headbutt on Nelthorpe. Wilkinson saw red, Nelthorpe took it on the chin and carried on tormenting the Lewes defence with what we'd love to call 'good old fashioned wing play'.

An important win and United are still unbeaten in the league in 2009. Long may it continue.

At: 4,595

Away: 50

Report by Chris Williams

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